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Review

2012
Nissan
370Z Review

This much bang for your sports car buck? Z ya later.

Reviewed by Automotive on
10/3/2011

Overview

Why mess with a good thing? Nissan brings the 2012 370Z back essentially unchanged. The 370Z packs ample punch with a beefy 332 hp from its standard V-6. It's offered as a two-seat coupe and soft-top convertible roadster. The coupe has base, touring, and Nismo trims, while the roadster is offered in base and touring. The 370Z isn't performance shy and brings a lot of bang for your sports-car-buck.

The cabin is snug but comfy and sporty. Eighteen-inch alloy wheels come standard on the base coupe, along with automatic xenon headlights, keyless ignition and entry, heated side mirrors, tilt leather steering wheel, a four-speaker stereo/CD with an auxiliary audio jack. Other trims include leather and faux-suede seats, power seats, premium audio and tire upgrades, and more.

With enough thrust and tight handling, the 370Z keeps you acutely aware that you're manning a sports car.

The Range

What's New

Nissan made no specification or equipment changes for the 2012 model year, except that the six-speed manual transmission is no longer offered on the base model convertible.

Exterior

The 370Z is designed with aggressive and sporty elements. The roadster features an aluminum hood, door panels and trunk, and additional structural reinforcement over the coupe model with A-pillars and side sills. A shortened windshield and rounded rear deck offer a sporty character. Both coupe and roadster are offered in seven colors: Solid Red, Magnetic Black, Brilliant Silver, Gun Metallic, Pearl White, Monterey Blue and Black Cherry.

Interior

The interior of the 2012 370Z is once again driver-centric, with a scooped instrument panel and full-length center console. Nissan provides lots of options including premium audio, navigation, leather and faux-suede seats that have a luxurious feel, push-button ignition, and power windows, doors and locks.

Performance & Handling

The 370Z is not a shy sports car and its 332 horses make no apologies. The Z's big tires grip the asphalt and the thrust will provide more than enough zip. Sharp braking and superior handling keep you in control. Models with the manual and automatic transmissions deliver a sporty ride. Excellent braking capability allows it to stop from 60 mph in 102 ft.

Safety

The 370Z is equipped with lots of standard safety features including front-seat side impact airbags, side curtain airbags that are roof-mounted in the coupe and Nismo versions, door mounted in the Roadster, active head restraints, antilock brakes with brake assist, traction and stability control, and tire pressure monitoring.